Automatic and manual Doppler velocimetry measurements of the uterine artery in pregnant ewes

•Doppler velocimetry measurements obtained automatically and manually may differ.•Hemodynamic indices and parameters of blood flow velocity of the uterine artery are scarce in sheep.•Knowledge of uterine perfusion may prevent reproductive failures and increase economic gain.•Doppler application in reproduction should be routinely used in sheep gynecology. We aimed to compare measurements of speed and blood flow parameters obtained manually and automatically in the uterine arteries of pregnant ewes. Eighteen Santa Inês ewes, confirmed to be pregnant, were followed every 2 weeks until parturition. The systolic peak (PS), end diastolic velocity (ED), maximum and average speed in the cardiac cycle (TAMAX and TAMEAN, respectively), pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) and the systole/diastole (S/D) ratio and body flow volume (BFV) was measured. We began the wave evaluation automatically, then the observer manually marked the beginning and end of the wave. To determine the differences between manual and automatic methods, a t-test was used for each of the study variables (PS, ED, TAMAX, TAMEAN, PI, RI, S/D, and BFV), with p